Of the 952 Imax theatres in the US the largest screen is in the AMC Lincoln Square Imax in New York. It measures 75.6 feet tall and 101 feet wide.
What is the largest Imax Screen in the World?
In 2021, it was announced that the largest Imax screen would debut in Germany and its first screening would be the James Bond film No Time to Die. Measuring in at 70 feet tall and 125 feet wide, it is wider than a Boeing 377 airliner.
What Does Imax Mean?
Imax means Image Maximum. It is the name under which Imax presents its Imax theatres. It is a large format video allowing the audience to enjoy a more immersive experience with superior quality and sound. It uses a system of high-resolution cameras, film formats and projectors with stadium style seating.
Imax was founded in September 1967 by Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, Robert Kerr and William C. Shaw.
There are variations on the Imax theatres such as the Dome and Omnimax, 3D, HD, Digital, ImaxShift (discontinued in 2017) and Virtual Reality (closed in 2021).
Many Imax films are specialty films like documentaries. The high cost and challenging logistics of Imax films results in shorter running times often resulting in 40 minutes less than a standard film. However, thanks to Digital Remastering, many Hollywood films began embracing the format as early as 2003. These included films such as The Matrix sequels and some of the Harry Potter films. Movies such as Skyfall (and many more) were not filmed with Imax cameras, they were optimized for the Imax screen.
The video for Adelle’s song Hello was partially shot with an Imax camera. Rhianna’s Sledgehammer music video was the second to be shot using the Imax camera.
In 2014 Dolby announced Dolby Cinema aimed to become Imax’s biggest competitor.